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Faktor L, Small K, Bradfield Z, Baird K, Fenwick J, Gray JE, Robinson M, Warton C, Cusack S, Homer CS. What do women in Australia want from their maternity care: A scoping review. Women Birth 2024; 37:278-287. [PMID: 38142159 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Just over 300,000 women give birth in Australia each year. It is important for health care providers, managers, and policy makers know what women want from their care so services can be provided appropriately. This review is a part of the Midwifery Futures Project, which aims to prepare the midwifery workforce to best address the needs of women. The aim of this review was to describe and analyse current literature on the maternity care needs of women in Australia. METHODS A scoping review methodology was used, guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute framework. A systematic search of the literature identified 9023 studies, and 59 met inclusion criteria: being peer-reviewed research focusing on maternity care needs, conducted in Australian populations, from 2012 to 2023. The studies were analysed using inductive content analysis. RESULTS Four themes were developed: Continuity of care, being seen and heard, being safe, and being enabled. Continuity of care, especially a desire for midwifery continuity of care, was the central theme, as it was a tool supporting women to be seen and heard, safe, and enabled. CONCLUSION This review highlights that women in Australia consistently want access to midwifery continuity of care as an enabler for addressing their maternity care needs. Transforming Australian maternity care policy and service provision towards continuity would better meet women's needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan Faktor
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kirsten Small
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Logan, QLD, Australia
| | - Zoe Bradfield
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, WA, Australia
| | - Kathleen Baird
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennifer Fenwick
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Joanne E Gray
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Chanelle Warton
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Caroline Se Homer
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Lai MM, August D, Sharfuddin Z, Palmer-Field K, Johnston L, Main E, Smith P, Kilgour CM, Kearney L. Outcomes and perspectives of woman-newborn dyads following discharge from a quaternary maternity service in Australia: A cross-sectional survey. Women Birth 2024; 37:248-256. [PMID: 37949741 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The average postnatal stay for most Australian mothers is two days. Postnatal length of stay is dependent on various factors, such as maternal preferences, mode of birth or complications following birth. However, little is known about the relationship between these elements. AIM To prospectively explore maternal and neonatal postnatal outcomes within the context of length of stay, model of care and personal expectations and experiences within the first 3-5 weeks following birth. METHODS A cross-sectional study within an urban quaternary Australian hospital was conducted between January 2021 to April 2021. A mixed methods convergent approach was taken. FINDINGS Of the 1066 questionnaires distributed, 216(20.2%) responses were usable for analysis. Most mothers (82%) were satisfied with their postnatal stay length (range 6-78 h). Models of care (such as GP shared care, midwifery group practice) were not associated with mothers' satisfaction with their postnatal stay length. Mothers following cesarean section felt less supported, had lower breastfeeding rates and more difficulty accessing postnatal services. Neonatal readmissions (n = 11, 5%) in the first week of life were most often for jaundice, poor feeding or both (n = 7, 64%). Three key themes were generated from the qualitative data and categorised into themes labeled 'Environmental and healthcare delivery constraints', 'Ready or not for discharge' and 'Home now, but support missing'. CONCLUSION Participants identified that improvements in postnatal care require more than extending in-hospital length of stay. Rather a more individualised woman-centred focus, in-home supported options, with flexibility in timing needed, especially for those following a complicated birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M Lai
- Grantley Stable Neonatal Unit, Womens and Newborn Services, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Deanne August
- Grantley Stable Neonatal Unit, Womens and Newborn Services, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Zoya Sharfuddin
- Grantley Stable Neonatal Unit, Womens and Newborn Services, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kristina Palmer-Field
- Lactation Services, Womens and Newborn Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Louise Johnston
- Postnatal Maternity Ward, Womens and Newborn Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Main
- Postnatal Maternity Ward, Womens and Newborn Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Patricia Smith
- Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Service Improvement, Metro North Health, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Catherine M Kilgour
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lauren Kearney
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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